Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Kilgore enlisted with the National Guard in 1937. When Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, he became activated with the U.S. Army. When he began basic training in the army, he was promoted to sergeant and then...

Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Louis H. Cohen enlisted in the National Guard in 1940 just before the draft began. In September of 1940, when the National Guard was federalized, he became part of the U.S. Army. He went to Camp Blanding, FL...

Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Richard Vickery joined the Army National Guard in 1981, at the age of 17. He went to basic training Fort Benning (Ga.), which he describes as the “gateway to hell”. After basic training he finished high...

Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Shawn Curreri enlisted in Air National Guard on Dec. 7, 2000 because of the education benefits and job experience that the Air Force had to offer. He committed to six years, and at the time of the interview...

Interview conducted by Jane L. Natoli. Sarando Giftos enlisted in the naval reserves in March of 1945, and was called into active duty just a month later. He went to the Sampson Naval training station in New York for his basic training, and then...

Interview conducted by Jane Natoli. John T.W. Lawrence enlisted in the U.S. Army in September of 1944 just after his eighteenth birthday. He went to basic training in Camp Blanding (Fla.), and was trained as a replacement infantryman. Lawrence...

Interview conducted by Jeanne Christie. Veasna Rouen enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1998. He describes boot camp as an experience which, in the long run, built up his self esteem. He was sent to Afghanistan after September 11, to help in...

Interview conducted by Jim Lyko. Edward R. Kuehn began his military career in the 122nd horse cavalry of the National Guard. When he began college at UCONN, he joined the ROTC. In 1941, after graduation from college, he was ordered to report for...

Interview conducted by Jim Lyko. John Maltese was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. After basic training at Camp Edwards, in Massachusetts he was assigned to the 462nd Amphibian Truck Company and trained at Ft. Moultrie in South Carolina. Maltese...

Interview conducted by Matthew Kwapien. Arthur C. Neriani enlisted in the National Guard in December of 1940. Soon after, in February of 1941, the Guard was federalized and he was sent to Camp Blanding, FL for basic training. After basic...

Interview conducted by Michelle Delvecchio. John J. Higgins enlisted in the Army National Guard's in May of 1940. Before he enlisted he had been part of the Civilian Conservation Corps for fifteen months. Higgins felt this was an advantage to...